Sealing element with higher modulus region

1 . A downhole tool for use in a well, comprising:

a tool mandrel; and

a sealing element disposed about the tool mandrel, wherein the sealing element comprises a localized loading of a reinforcing agent giving a lower modulus region and a higher modulus region, wherein the higher modulus region comprises portions that are positioned respectively at both ends of a body portion of the sealing element, the higher modulus region comprising at least one additional portion each as a ring spaced axially along the body portion between the ends of the body portion, wherein the body portion has a central bore, and wherein the higher modulus region forms at least part of an exterior surface of the sealing element.

2 . The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the higher modulus region comprises a reinforcing agent and a matrix.

3 . The downhole tool of claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing agent comprises a powder, a metal, or a fiber, or any combinations thereof.

4 . The downhole tool of claim 2 , wherein the matrix comprises a thermoplastic, and wherein the lower modulus region comprises an elastomer.

5 . The downhole tool of claim 2 , wherein the matrix comprises a same material as the lower modulus region.

6 . The downhole tool of claim 2 , wherein the matrix is a different material than the lower modulus region.

7 . The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the localized loading of the reinforcing agent comprises a localized fiber loading, and wherein the higher modulus region comprises fibers disposed in a matrix.

8 . The downhole tool of claim 7 , wherein the fibers are present in an amount of about 1% to about 40% by volume of the higher modulus region.

9 . The downhole tool of claim 7 , wherein the downhole tool is a packer, wherein the lower modulus region is present in an amount of about 50% to about 99% by volume of the sealing element, and wherein the higher modulus region is present in an amount of about 1% to about 50% by volume of the sealing element.

10 . The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the lower modulus region comprises an elastomer, wherein the higher modulus region does not comprise an elastomer, and wherein the higher modulus region comprises a thermoplastic.

11 . A downhole tool for use in a well, comprising:

a tool mandrel; and

a sealing element disposed about the tool mandrel, wherein the sealing element comprises a localized loading of a reinforcing agent giving a lower modulus region and a higher modulus region, wherein the higher modulus region comprises portions that are positioned respectively at both ends of a body portion of the sealing element, wherein additional portions of the higher modulus region are rings spaced axially along the body portion between the ends of the body portion, and wherein the body portion has a central bore.

12 . The downhole tool of claim 11 , wherein the body portion is in form of a sleeve disposed on the tool mandrel.

13 . The downhole tool of claim 11 , wherein the downhole tool is a packer, and wherein the higher modulus region comprises the reinforcing agent and a matrix.

14 . A method of sealing a borehole, comprising:

moving a tool mandrel to a selected position in the borehole, wherein a sealing element is disposed about the tool mandrel, wherein the sealing element comprises a localized loading of a reinforcing agent giving a lower modulus region and a higher modulus region, wherein the higher modulus region comprises a hollow ring with an annular cavity, and wherein the sealing element further comprises a spring element disposed in the annular cavity; and

positioning the sealing element in the borehole to form a seal between the sealing element and an adjacent surface.

15 . The downhole tool of claim 14 , wherein the spring element includes the lower modulus region.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the higher modulus region is in contact with the spring element rather than the lower modulus region, wherein the localized loading of the reinforcing agent comprises a localized fiber loading, and wherein the higher modulus region comprises fibers disposed in a matrix.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the lower modulus region is present in an amount of about 50% to about 99% by volume of the sealing element, and wherein the higher modulus region is present in an amount of about 1% to about 50% by volume of the sealing element.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the matrix and the lower modulus region comprise a same material, and wherein the spring element comprises a garter spring having filler material comprising rubber or ball bearings, or both.